In Cedar Park, a permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds a structure on your property, and a deck adds one.
| Apply | MGO Connect portal |
|---|---|
| Code | 2021 IRC, local amendments |
| City phone | 512-401-5100 |
| HOA | Ask before you file |
What the City Says
The City of Cedar Park page called Do I Need a Permit says a permit is required for any construction which physically changes or adds structures to the property. A deck adds a structure, so plan on a permit.
The same page lists accessory buildings and structures that need permits. It names sheds, carports, gazebos and arbors among them. Decks and patio covers are not named on that page, but the city has a separate Deck and Patio Information section on its Residential Permits page with a Deck and Patio Cover Guideline and a Submittal Checklist. Read both before you plan.
The city also says its lists are not complete and asks you to call to confirm. The permit office number is 512-401-5100.
The Code Cedar Park Uses
Cedar Park adopted the The IRC is the model code for one and two family homes. Cedar Park adopted the 2021 edition with local amendments, in effect June 1, 2022. and the 2020 National Electrical Code, with local amendments, in effect June 1, 2022. Austin uses a newer code, so numbers from Austin pages do not carry over to Cedar Park. Size and height limits for decks here sit in the city deck guideline. We do not guess at them, and you should check with the city for your plan.
Where to Apply
Permits are filed online through MGO Connect is the online portal Cedar Park uses for permits and for contractor registration.. Contractors must register with the city in MGO Connect, and the city says there is no fee to register. Ask any builder you hire if they are registered and who will file the permit.
Fences Are Different
The city says fencing needs no permit, though it must follow city code Sec. 14.07.007. A deck with a privacy screen or rail is still a deck, not a fence, so do not lean on the fence rule for it.
HOA Approval
Many Cedar Park homes sit in neighborhoods with a homeowners association. An HOA can have its own rules for decks, covers, colors and setbacks, and those rules are separate from the city permit. Ask your HOA for its rules and its approval form before you file with the city. A city permit does not mean the HOA has said yes, and the other way around.
A Simple Order of Steps
- Read the city deck and patio cover guideline and checklist.
- Get your HOA rules and approval form, if you have an HOA.
- Get a plan and a written price from your builder.
- Send the plan to the HOA and file the permit in MGO Connect.
- Call 811 before anyone digs post holes.
- Build, then pass the city inspections.
Questions
Do I need a permit for a deck in Cedar Park?
The city says a permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structures to the property. A deck adds one. Check the city deck guideline and call 512-401-5100 to confirm for your plan.
Is there a size under which a deck needs no permit?
We could not confirm a size or height number from the city pages we read. The city deck and patio cover guideline is the place to look, or call the permit office.
Does a pergola need a permit?
The city names gazebos and arbors as accessory structures that need permits. Treat a pergola the same way and check with the city.
Who files the permit?
Usually the builder. Contractors register with the city in MGO Connect at no fee. Ask before you sign.